Operable panel type partition arrangement



Jan. 3, 1967 H. M. GILSON 3,

OPERABLE PANEL TYPE PARTITION ARRANGEMENT Filed June 25, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l HermanmGi/son JJZ @zm Attorneys Jan. 3, 1967 H. M. GILSON 3,295,538

OPERABLE PANEL TYPE PARTITION ARRANGEMENT Filed June 25, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 J z Arrorheys 37 i I 47/ A? W 7 7 q 1/ T 58 1 V i A'l/ D I/ V J 14 I? I y; 57 AZ 1 "I! A 71 7/ INVENTOR.

Herman GiIson 72 \E-f E A BY Jan. 3, 1967 H. M. GILSON 3,295,538

OPERABLE PANEL TYPE PARTITION ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 25, 1965 Herman GiIson BY ZZZ @QZQ Attorneys M. L, INVENTOR.

Jan. 3, 1967 H. M. GlLsoN 3,295,588

OPERABLE PANEL TYPE PARTITION ARRANGEMENT Filed June 25, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR.

HermanMGi/son Attorneys Jan. '3, 1967 H. M. GILSON 3,

OPERABLE PANEL TYPE PARTITION ARRANGEMENT Filed June 25, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A {Q a: A a g v LL H v Q & Q &. Q.

Fig. 8

Q n n s 7 ch 5/ L INVENTOR. BY HermanM,Gilson 7J4 @XZQD Attorneys United States Patent Ofifice 3,295,588 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 3,295,588 OPERABLE PANEL TYPE PARTITION ARRANGEMENT Herman M. Gilson, San Francisco, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Hang]: Manufacturing Corporation, a corporation of Connecticut Filed June 25, 1965, Ser. No. 466,975 Claims. (Cl. 160199) This invention relates to wall panel assemblies of the type adapted to be releasably positioned to extend between .spaced parallel room surfaces, such as the floor and ceiling of rooms in order to subdivide the space thereof, More particularly, this invention pertains to those releasably positionable wall panel assemblies of a style which is operable between two positions respectively subdividing a room into smaller units or providing enlargement of a room space, merely by moving the wall temporarily out of the way, wherein it is guided by a track.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved operable wall construction which can be readily releasably locked in place so as to subdivide room spaces conveniently.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved operable wall construction wherein a plurality of panels is simultaneously locked by movement of a single crank carried in an exposed edge of one of the panels.

These and other objects of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment according to the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing an operable wall in accordance with the invention;

FIGURES 2 and 2a comprise an elevation view, in section, of a side edge of a panel taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2a showingcooperative relation of the panel with a guideway construction when the panel is closed;

FIGURES 3 and 3a comprise a front elevation view in section of a panel taken along the line 3-3 of FIG- URES 2 and 2a showing a locking actuator assembly as employed in the operable wall of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view, in section, showing a detail of apparatus as shown in section 44 of FIGURE 2- FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail front section view showing crank means according to the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view, in section, of FIGURE 5 taken along the line 6-6 thereof.

FIGURE 7 is a side view of apparatus as shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view, in section, showing a plurality of three panels as assembled in a common plane to form an operable wall thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view, in section, of two adjacent panels as shown in FIGURE 8 showing a partially folded condition thereof;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged detail in front elevation section showing the mounting of one end of the horizontal operating rod; and

FIGURE 11 is a side view of FIGURE 10.

In general, as will be developed below in more particular detail, there is provided an operable wall construction which includes a plurality of panels movable along a track and arranged to be folded in an accordion style fold. Each panel includes a frame adapted to be enclosed by sheets of material. carried within each panel whereby a grip member or shoe at one end of each panel can be disposed to move A locking apparatus is.

between retracted and projected positions and thereby be thrust against the floor or ceiling to releasably secure the panel between the spaced floor and ceiling. Rotatable means are provided whereby the grip member is moved from retracted to projected positions and thereby provide supporting engagement of the grip member with the floor or ceiling. The rotatable means of each panel is arranged whereby a single crank exposed at the side of one of the panels can be utilized to contemporaneously move each of the several grip members to its projected position when the several panels are arranged in a common plane.

Thus, a horizontal control rod means is provided with coupling means on the adjacent ends between two panels whereby upon radial alignment of the adjacent coupling means, the control rod means of each panel will be rotated.

As shown in particular detail in FIGURE 1, there is provided an operable wall construction which includes, for example, six panel assemblies 20 in two groups of three. Each of the assemblies of the group is hinged to fold, accordion style, with respect to the others and is supported to be rolled out of the way at one side of a stationary truss portion 21 of the room being partitioned. Side columns 22, 23 are located at each end of truss portion 21.

The frame of each panel 29 includes channel bars 24, 26 at opposite ends of the panel 29. The sides of the frame are formed generally by channel bars 27, 28 of generally W-shaped cross-section. Channel .bars 24, 26 are disposed to provide a recess'along the top and bottom of each panel assembly 20, whereas channel bars 27, 28 are arranged with the web portion of eachturned outermost. Sheets of material 29, 31 form the front and back faces of each panel assembly 20. The center panel 29 of each group of three panels is hingedly coupled to the others on diagonally opposite corner edges to permit the three panels 20 of the group to be folded, accordion stype, out of the way.

Each panel is hung to be rolled along a track member 32 formed, for example, as an extrusion including wings 33 adapted to be secured along the lower edge of truss portion 21. Track member 32 includes a pair of opposed ledges 34 spaced at their distal ends to provide a guideway therebetween. The upper sides of ledges 34 are formed to include a track or groove 36 adapted to engage and guide rollers 37 therealong.

Hanger means forming a carriage adapted to permit each panel assembly 20 to pivot about an axis lying substantially coplanar within the panel assembly 20 includes the downwardly depending threaded stem 38 journalled at its upper end in a sleeve 39 and at its lower end supporting the weight of the panel assembly 29 by threadedly engaging a mounting bracket 41. Bracket 41 is fixed to the upper channel bar 26. Thus, when grip member 44 is in its retracted position within channel bar 26, panel assembly 20 is free to rotate about the axis defined by stem 38. The panel assembly can also be rolled along tracks 36 guided by a plastic or other self-lubricating collar 42 moving along the guideway formed between the distal ends of ledges 34. Rollers 37 are supported upon axles journalled within the carriage which further comprises a pair of plates 43.

At each end of the panel assembly 20, a grip member 44 is telescopically received respectively within channel bars 24, 26 for movement between retracted and projected positions. Each of the grip members 44 are of generally similar construction. Thus, an inverted U- shaped shoe 46 is formed to include a pair of spaced parallel feet 47, each of which carries an elongated gripping strip 48 of high friction material and preferably of a ribbed outer surface construction. The back side of grip- 3 ping strips 48 are each provided with a resilient barb which extends the length of the strip. Strips 48 are, therefore, adapted to be pressed into longitudinally extending openings formed along each of the feet 47 so as to be retained therein.

A force translating assembly 51 serves to move each of the grip members 44 between retracted and projected positions so as to secure the panel assembly 20 in an upright position between the floor and the ceiling of a room to be subdivided. Force translating assembly 51 includes 'a housing 52 including substantially upright sides 53, 54 and an upper end 56 through which there is provided an opening 57. The lower end of housing 52 is formed with a pair of ears 58 bent to extend outwardly therefrom and adapted to be secured, in suitable manner, to a fixed portion of the frame of the panel. Across the opening formed at the lower end of housing 52 a brace 59 is secured and formed with an opening 61. A hearing sleeve 62 extends downwardly from brace 59 coaxially of opening 61.

Assembly 51 further includes an upper and lower jacking rod 63, 64, respectively, extending through and guided by openings 57, 61. The upper end of jacking rod 63 is provided with a rod extension 66 slidably movable through a hole 67 formed in bracket 41 which serves as a guide plate fixed to the frame of the panel. The outer end of rod extension 66 is secured to grip member 44 and movable therewith. Thus, there is provided a transversely extending bracket 69 secured to the end of rod extension '66 and fixed to carry grip member 44 therewith between its retracted and projected positions. At the lower end of rod 64, a similar L-shaped connection formed by rod extension 71 and bracket 72 serves to carry the lower grip member 44 between retracted and projected positions with respect to panel assembly 20.

Means are provided for moving the jacking rods63, 64 outwardly with respect to housing 52 as now to be described.

A control rod assembly 73 is journalled to extend between the sides 74, 76 of each panel 20. Control rod assembly 73 includes a threaded link 77 journalled between the sides 53, 54 of housing 52. A traveling nut 78 is arranged to move along link 77 upon rotation of the latter. Nut 78 is thus held from rotating and maintained in an upright position by means of the guide plate 79 formed by a U-shaped, relatively broad, strap of metal or similar rigid material secured between the housing sides 53, 54. Nut 78 is formed with upper and lower ears 81, 82. Helical springs 83, 84 are arranged respectively to extend between ear 81 and the lower end of jacking rod 63 and between car 82 and the upper end of jacking rod 64. Spring wire pendants 86, 87 respectively serve to retract jacking rods 64 and 66.

Rotation of link 77 serves to cause nut 78 to move therealong whereby an outwardly acting force is applied to jacking rods 63, 64, via the coil springs 83, 84. Springs 83, 84 permit link 77 to continue to rotate somewhat after :the jacking rods 63, 64 have caused grip members 44 to engage their respective room surfaces.

The control rod assembly 73 includes means for transmitting rotational movement to link 77. Thus, pivot pins 88, 89 are carried in each end of link 77, and further secured transversely through a generally horizontally disposed control rod 91, 92 respectively.

Coupling means have been provided on the ends of the control rod assemblies 73 so as to couple the controlrod assemblies of adjacent panels whereby they can be rotated conjointly when adjacent panels have been swung together into a common plane to form the operable wall. The coupling means is further arranged to readily decouple the adjacent control rod assemblies 73 of adjacent panels when moving the panels to their folded back position.

Thus, a transversely extending cross pin 93 is carried in a swaged end portion of rod 92 so as to extend through an elongated slot 94 in the end 96 of a rod extension 97.

A sleeve 98 is secured to be carried on the rod extension 97. Sleeve 98 includes a transversely extending radial groove 99 adapted to cooperate with a radially extending j transverse tongue or detent 101 when both the detent 101 and groove 99 are radially aligned. Detent 101 projects from the end of a sleeve 102 carried on the outer end of a rod extension 103 of like construction to rod extension 97.

Spring means are provided to yieldingly urge rod extensions 97 and 103 outwardly away from their respective 1 control rods. Thus, a coil spring 104 bears against a fixed snap ring 106 carried by extensions 97, 103.

As thus arranged, whenever adjacent panels 20 are-.

swung to a common plane, springs 104 serve to yieldingly absorb longitudinal movement caused by contact due to misalignment between detent 101 and groove 99. Rotation of one or the other will serve to provide radial alignment and upon such alignment, spring 104 will snap sleeves 98, 102 together with detent 101 locked firmly in groove 99.

When each of the three panel assemblies 20 of one of the groups shown in FIGURE 1, have been arranged to lie in a common plane, the coupling between adjacent ends of the control rod assembly of each panel will be capable of being interlocked whereby rotation of one will cause radial alignment at each of the couplings and ultimately all rods will rotate together.

The small degree of rotational movement required to provide radial alignment at each coupling becomes cumulative and, therefore, it is to be noted that coil springs 83, 84 of each assembly 51 serve to accommodate the additional rotational movement required of the first control rod assembly 73 to which rotation is initially im-l parted. The cumulative rotational movements required to couple all three assemblies 51 can be minimized by rotating the single crank means, now to be described, in,

an opposite direction after the first coupling has been effected.

As shown in FIGURE 1, one side of each group of three panels 20 is exposed and provided with an extensible crank means for rotating the control rod assemblies 73 from a single side edge of the group.

Thus, as shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, there is provided crank means carried by one of the group of panels at a panel side, which, momentarily at least, will not be adjacent another panel side. The crank means is operatively coupled to rotate the control rod means of all the panels conjointly via the radially aligned couplings therebetween.

The exposed side 111 (FIGURE 6) of panel 20 is formed by an' elongated extrusion forming one of the channel bars 28. The extrusion carries a vertically extending slot 113 adapted to receive an articulated crank 114 when extended to its full length. Crank 114 is secured to the end of control rod 92 which is journalled in a bushing portion 116 formed at the upper end of slot 113.

joined by pivot pins 121. Link 119 forms the handle of crank 114. A spring-loaded ball detent arrangement serves to form a positive engaging lock at each articulated joint of crank 114. Thus, at each pivoted joint, there is provided a pair of notches 122, 123 arranged at an angle of from one another. A spring-loaded ball 124 is slidably carried in a hole coaxially of each link 117, 118,

119. Thus, when ball 124 is aligned with notch 122, a

positive spring lock is elfected. Accordingly, crank 114 can be straightened and nested in slot 117 to provide a hidden disposition substantially flush with respect to the exposed side 111 of panel 20. When it is desired to 1'0- tate control rod'92, crank 114 can be extended as shown shown by the three nearest panels (FIGURE 1) and it Crank 114 includes three links 117, 118, 119

is desired to arrange them to form a wall, as shown by the three panels in the background, the panels are rotated until they have arrived in a common plane.

The three-panel unit is then positioned appropriately laterally of the opening defined by truss portion 21 and side columns 22, 23. Crank 114 is withdrawn from its nested position within groove 113 and disposed as shown in FIGURE 5 for cranking rod 92. As rod 92 is rotated, link 77 serves to draw the traveling nut 78 therealong to the phantom line position shown in FIGURE 3. The foregoing movement of nut 78 serves to move the jacking rods 63, 64 so as to project grip members 44 outwardly of the panel. Outward movement of grip members 44 serves to wedge the panel between the underside of ledges 34 of track member 32 at the top of the panel and the floor of the room at the bottom of the panel.

During alignment of the three panels of the unit into a single vertical plane, detents 101 may or may not have been aligned with grooves 99. In the event that misalignment existed, springs 104 would yieldingly absorb longitudinal movement of rods 91, 92. However, during an initial portion of the rotation of threaded link 77 (imparted by rotation of crank 114), the rod 91 is positively rotated so as to bring groove 99 and detent 101 into radial alignment whereby further rotation of crank 114 not only serves to project the jacking rods 63, 64 of the first panel, but also serves to operate the jacking rods of the second panel, which is hingedly supported to the first.

The jacking rods 63, 64 of the third panel of the threepanel unit are also similarly projected whereby all three panels will be contemporaneously secured in place by the outward projecting movement of grip members 44 associated with each panel.

After each panel 20 is secured in place, crank 114 is straightened and nested into groove 113 whereby it is readily available for use as may later by desired in releasing the wall and repositioning the three-panel unit for folding it out of the way.

I claim:

1. In an operable panel type partition arrangement, a plurality of at least two panels each adapted to be releasably positioned to extend between spaced parallel room surfaces, each panel having means forming a frame, and sheets of material carried by said frame to form front and back panel faces, each panel including spaced parallel ends and sides, hinge means disposed to support adjacent panels for hinged movement between wall forming and wall folded positions, a grip member at one end of each panel and movable with respect thereto between retracted and projected positions, lifting means between the faces of each panel for moving said grip member from retracted to projected positions thereof, said grip member of each panel when in its said projected position being adapted to engage surfaces within a room so as to secure the panel therein when said grip member is urged thereagainst, control rod means in each panel extending along an axis between the sides of each panel, said control rod means being operatively coupled to drive an associated one of said lifting means between retracted and projected positions to move said grip member, coupling means carried on adjacent ends of the control rod means of adjacent panels to couple the control rod means of said adjacent panels when said adjacent panels are swung together to said wall forming position and to decouple the control rod means of said adjacent panels when moving said adjacent panels to said wall folded position, and crank means carried at the edge of one of said panels, said crank means being operatively coupled to rotate said control rod means of both said adjacent panels via said coupling means when said panels are in said wallforming position, whereby the panels of a multi-panel wall so formed shall be conjointly secured Within the room by movement of said crank means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes first and second elements carried respectively on said adjacent ends of the control rod means and mounted for rotation therewith, said first and second elements being formed to be mutually interengaged upon radial alignment therebetween and means resiliently supporting at least one of said elements for longitudinally yielding movement with respect to said control rod means to permit hinged movement of said panels to a common plane notwithstanding radial misalignment between said adjacent ends whereby rotation of said crank means serves to radially align each pair of adjacent ends of said control rod means when said panels are arranged in said plane.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further including means defining a track adapted to be secured to the ceiling of a room being partitioned, roller means associated with each panel assembly and adapted to move along said track, hanger means extending between each of said roller means and the frame of a panel to support said frame for rolling movement along the track, each said hanger means being disposed substantially midway between the ends of its associated grip member, said grip member being movable with respect to said hanger means, said grip member when in its projected position serving to engage said means defining the track.

4. A wall construction adapted to be removably disposed in room dividing position within a room, said wall comprising at least two panel assemblies, each of said panel assemblies including a frame, sheets of material carried by said frame to form front and back faces of the panel, a locking actuator including at least one member adapted to engage the floor or ceiling of a room, said one member being movable between retracted and projected positions for engaging the fioor or ceiling when in the projected position, a rotatable member between the sides of the panel assembly, lifting means rotatable to move said one member, said lifting means including a spring for yieldably permitting continued rotation of said rotatable member after said one member engages either the floor or ceiling, an operating shaft journalled to extend between the sides of the panel in a plane between said faces thereof, said operating shaft serving to rotate said lifting means, hinge means supporting said panel assemblies in adjacent relation to fold into and out of a common plane and disposing the operating shafts of each in adjacent relation, means on the adjacent ends of said shafts for interengaging samerwhen said panel assemblies are disposed in said common plane, the last named means releasing said interengagement upon folding said assemblies out of said plane, and crank means on the end of one of said operating shafts for rotating both shafts when said panel assemblies are disposed in said common plane.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said crank means is extensible from a storage position substantially flush with one side of one of said panel assemblies to an operating position extending away from the last named side.

6. An operable panel type partition arrangement comprising:

a plurality of at least two panels hinged together in side by side relation for hinged movement between wall forming and wall folded positions,

a grip member at one end of each panel and movable with respect thereto between retracted and projected positions,

said grip members when disposed in their projected positions being adapted to engage surfaces within a room so as to secure the respective panels therein when said grip members are urged against the surfaces,

means for simultaneously moving said panel grip members from their retracted positions to their projected positions,

said moving means comprising control rod means carried by each panel in coplanar relation therewith,

means for releasably coupling together'the control rod means of adjacent panels when said panels are swung into substantially coplanar relation to define said wall forming positions and for decoupling the control rod means of adjacent panels when said panels are swung from said wall forming position to said wall folded position,

said control rod means of the respective panels being operably connected to the grip member thereof for moving said grip members between their said positions on actuation of said control rod means,

and means for actuating one of said control rod means at one edge of one of the panels when said panels are disposed in their said wall forming position to cojointly move the grip members of the respective panels to their projected positions.

7. The arrangement set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said panels each include a second grip member at the other end thereof and movable with respect there-to between retracted and projected positions,

said grip members of said panel other ends'when disposed in the projected positions being adapted to engage room surfaces opposing the first mentioned room surfaces,

said control rod means of the respective panels being operably connected to said second grip member thereof for moving said second grip members between their said positions on actuation of said control rod means simultaneously with like movement of the first grip members.

8. The arrangement set forth in claim 7 including:

means defining a track adapted to be secured to the celling of the room being partitioned,

roller means associated with each each of said panels and adapted to move alongsaid track,

hanger means extending between the respective roller means and the respective panels to support the respec tive panels for rolling movement along said track,

each of said hanger means being disposed substantially midway between the sides of the respective panels,

said grip members of said one ends of said panels being movable with respect to said hangers and engaging said track defining means in their said projected positions,

where-by said control rod means may be actuated to simultaneously apply the grip members of said panel one ends against said track defining means and said panels may be simultaneously secured in their wall forming positions without having to lift said panels vertically.

9. An operable panel type partition comprising:

a panel adapted to be hinged in side by side relation to an adjacent similar panel or panels for hinged movement between wall forming and wall folded positions,

a grip member at one end of said panel and movable with respect thereto between retracted and projected positions,

said grip member when disposed in its projected posi-. tion being adapted to engage surfaces within a room,

so as to secure the panel therein when said grip member is urged against the surface,

means for moving said panel grip member from its retracted position to its projected position,

said moving means comprising control rod means carried by said panel in coplanar relation therewith and extending between the side edges thereof,

means for releasably coupling together said control rod means to like control rod means of adjacent panels equipped with similar grip members when said panels are swung into substantial coplanar relation to define said wall forming positions and for decoupling saidv control rod means from the control rod means of ad-;

jacent panels when said panels are swung from said wall forming position to said wall folded position,

said control rod means of said panel being operably connected to the grip member thereof for moving said grip member between its said positions on actuation of said control'rod means,

and means for actuating said control rod means at one edge of one of the panels when said panels are disposed in their said wall forming position to cojointly move the grip members of the respective panels to their projected positions.

10. The arrangement set forth in claim 9 wherein:

said panel includes a second grip member at the other end thereof and movable with respect thereto between retracted and projected positions,

said grip member of said panel other end when disposed in its projected position being adapted to engage a room surface opposing the first mentioned room surface,

said control rod means being operably connected to said second grip member thereof for moving said second grip member between its said positions on actuation:

of said control rod means simultaneously with like movement of the first grip member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,242,133 5/ 1941 Kemp 29233 3,068,936 12/1962 Haws 2068 X 3,073,381 1/1963 Burmeister 2068 X 3,126,050 3/1964 Lapof 16O199X 3,195,192 7/1965 Neisewander 20-68 X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH DOWNEY, Examiner. 

1. IN AN OPERABLE PANEL TYPE PARTITION ARRANGEMENT, A PLURALITY OF AT LEAST TWO PANELS EACH ADAPTED TO BE RELEASBLY POSITIONED TO EXTEND BETWEEN SPACED PARALLEL ROOM SURFACES, EACH PANEL HAVING MEANS FORMING A FRAME, AND SHEETS OF MATERIAL CARRIED BY SAID FRAME TO FORM FRONT AND BACK PANEL FACES, EACH PANEL INCLUDING SPACED PARALLEL ENDS AND SIDES, HINGE MEANS DISPOSED TO SUPPORT ADJACENT PANELS FOR HINGED MOVEMENT BETWEEN WALL FORMING AND WALL FOLDED POSITIONS, A GRIP MEMBER AT ONE END OF EACH PANEL AND MOVABLE WITH RESPECT THERETO BETWEEN RETRACTED AND PROJECTED POSITIONS, LIFTING MEANS BETWEEN THE FACES OF EACH PANEL FOR MOVING SAID GRIP MEMBER FROM RETRACTED TO PROJECTED POSITIONS THEREOF, SAID GRIP MEMBER OF EACH PANEL WHEN IN ITS SAID PROJECTED POSITION BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SURFACES WITHIN A ROOM SO AS TO SECURE THE PANEL THEREIN WHEN SAID GRIP MEMBER IS URGED THEREAGAINST, CONTROL ROD MEANS IN EACH PANEL EXTENDING ALONG AN AXIS BETWEEN THE SIDES OF EACH PANEL, SAID CONTROL ROD MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO DRIVE AN ASSOCIATED ONE OF SAID LIFTING MEANS BETWEEN RETRACTED AND PROJECTED POSITIONS TO MOVE SAID GRIP MEMBER, COUPLING MEANS CARRIED ON ADJACENT ENDS OF THE CONTROL ROD MEANS OF ADJACENT PANELS TO COUPLE THE CONTROL ROD MEANS OF SAID ADJACENT PANELS WHEN SAID ADJACENT PANELS ARE SWUNG TOGETHER TO SAID WALL FORMING POSITION AND TO DECOUPLE THE CONTROL ROD MEANS OF SAID ADJACENT PANELS WHEN MOVING SAID ADJACENT PANELS TO SAID WALL FOLDED POSITION, AND CRANK MEANS CARRIED AT THE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID PANELS, SAID CRANK MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO ROTATE SAID CONTROL ROD MEANS OF BOTH SAID ADJACENT PANELS VIA SAID COUPLING MEANS WHEN SAID PANELS ARE IN SAID WALL FORMING POSITION, WHEREBY THE PANELS OF MULTI-PANEL WALL SO FORMED SHALL BE CONJOINTLY SECURED WITHIN THE ROOM BY MOVEMENT OF SAID CRANK MEANS. 